Schengen: access to the Second Generation Information System, SIS II, by the services in the Member States responsible for issuing vehicle registration certificates

PURPOSE: To allow vehicle registration services the right to consult certain categories of data contained in the Schengen Information System II.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council

CONTENT:  This proposal is an update of a proposed Regulation, which was submitted by the Commission in 2003, relating to the Schengen Information System (SIS) and national bodies responsible for issuing registration certificates for vehicles (2003/0198 COD).  The main objective of the current proposal is the same as that tabled in 2003, namely giving vehicle registration services of the Member States, the right to consult certain categories of data contained in SIS. This should allow for a more effective exchange of information and act as a valuable tool in the fight against fraud and the illegal trade in stolen vehicles. The Commission has fully followed the line of the aforementioned proposal and has only made formal amendments to it so as to ensure coherence with the new legal instruments for the establishment, operation and use of the second generation SIS referred to as SIS II (see 2005/0106 COD and 2005/0103 CNS). This proposal completes the legal framework for SIS II and will replace Article 102a to be inserted in the Schengen Convention following adoption of the Commission’s proposal of August 2003 and referred to above.

The ability of vehicle registration services to access SIS II is an appropriate provision helping the EU to fulfil its implementation of the common transport policy. This proposal is being forwarded on the same legal basis as that of the 2003 proposal, i.e. Title V of the EU Treaty and more specifically, Article 71. This signifies that access to SIS II data by the vehicle registration authorities has a basis in the EU Treaties.

In terms of participation it has been established that Norway and Iceland are fully associated to the development of SIS II, including access to data for vehicle registration services.  In terms of the financial implications, Member States will need to create a connection between national vehicle registration services and SIS II. This will fall under the responsibility of a SIS II national office to be designated in accordance with the proposed Decision on the establishment, operation and use of SIS II.

The Commission has outlined the main budgetary implication in a financial statement, attached to its proposal for a Regulation on the establishment, operation and use of SIS II. Most of what has been said in the Financial Statement is summarised below.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT:

The present financial statement covers the expenditure necessary for operating SIS II as from 2007.

- Budget lines and headings: 18 08 02: Schengen Information System, second generation (SIS II)

- Overall figures: For Part B: EUR 132 Million for commitments until 2013. The costs foreseen include the following elements: The upkeep and operating costs of two premises, the updating of computer equipment and consumables, system maintenance, stationary, furniture and work equipment, direct access to point rental of the network, external support for maintaining the IT management systems, the development and operation of a search engine based on biometric identifies, the cost of external human resources including 21 security agents and 21 data input operators.

- Period of application: From 2007 to 2013 (for this statement).Undetermined duration, after 2013.

- Overall financial impact of human resources and other administrative expenditure: EUR 23 807 million. This will include 23 permanent posts from levels A, B and C.

Lastly, a total contribution from Iceland and Norway totaling 2.128% of the total cost is foreseen.